Vegan Leather: The New Spin On Pleather

Dried plums have replaced prunes, corn sugar is replacing corn syrup and vegan leather is really just a modern version of pleather, with a more eco-friendly name.

Where pleather always used to be derogatory in nature, vegan leather is, now, both an oxymoron and an oh-so-hip fashion trend. And just so you’re in the know, there are two basic types of plastic-leather to be aware of. One is polyurethane pleather which is usually machine washable and can be dry cleaned. It’s also slightly breathable. The other version, PVC pleather, does not breathe and can be very hard to clean. Think Britney Spears’ red pleather cat suit.

I can’t even bring myself to point out what is far worse than this outfit about this picture. I’m sure you’ve already noticed.

Modern advances in fake leather, er, faux leather can make it difficult to tell the difference between it and the real cow skin – leather. And, that’s just the way vegan leather marketers want you to think: cow skin. With the whole “faux is for the real person” attitude of anti-fur campaigns, the on-trend popularity of vegan leather only adds fuel to the fire of a movement already growing at a furious (pun intended) pace.

Whatever you want to call it, though, faux leather, pleather or vegan leather, the price point offerings are a natural fit for our faltering economy.

Here are some of our favorite vegan leather choices. Simply click each photo for more information. Enjoy!

On sale at Nordstrom for $139.90

This Chai Speed jacket may fool everyone around you (except it won’t keep you terribly warm) at $94.99

This cape, available at ModCloth.com is just $159.99 and trimmed with vegan leather.

From Ann Taylor, Vegan Faux Leather jacket, $198

From BB Dakota, $58

Not always cheaper…. these from Stella McCartney are gorgeous and will set you back $815.

Available at Barney’s for $650.

Free People brand even had an entire lookbook of just vegan leather items.

For $39, this vegan leather bomber jacket for dogs can be yours. Available on ETSY.

And, I’ve always suspected that Ross’s leather pants were really pleather, even though he insisted they were leather. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, it’s season 5 of Friends. And, here is the link to one of the funniest scenes that has ever taken place on TV: